President Bola Tinubu told Nigerians on Wednesday to have faith in God, saying the country would experience peace, stability, and prosperity.
In a recent statement, Tinubu emphasised the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence among all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.
He charged Nigerians with avoiding ethnic and religious conflict. Speaking to reporters after participating in Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Dodan Barracks prayer ground in Lagos, the President emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation.
He stated that Allah would not burden the country with more than it could bear, but he also stated that Nigerians must be willing to make sacrifices for the country’s prosperity.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake, the President said: “I thank Almighty Allah for keeping us in good health till today and pray to Him to grant us robust health and prosperity. May our sacrifices turn to prosperity. We have to make the sacrifices, and that is clear, we have to.
“But Allah will not give you a burden that you cannot carry. He is there for us. We must have faith in the country and in ourselves, believing that as citizens of this country, we must join hands to build the nation.
“No religious identity, no tribal identity, let us live with one another in joy and prosperity. Nigeria will see peace and stability, and God will grant peace to those of us at the warfront.”
Tinubu also encouraged leaders across the country to champion the cause of unity and promote dialogue as a means to resolve differences and conflicts. He expressed his belief that through open and sincere conversations, Nigerians can find common ground and build a more harmonious society.
In addition, Tinubu said it was his sincere hope and the nation’s that the Nigerian troops fighting an insurgency on the front lines would succeed.
The Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abu-Nolah, led the Eid prayer, which began at 9 a.m.
The Chief Imam then slaughtered a ram at the Eid prayer ground to commemorate the significance of Prophet Ibrahim’s noble act of total obedience to Allah’s command.
Speaking on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, congratulated Muslims across the country and in the state on the joy of Eid-el-Kabir, urging them to rally behind President Tinubu in his determination to make the country better.
“It is our duty to pray for our leaders. We must pray for our President that God should help him succeed in the task before him,” he said.
The prayer was attended by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the former governor of Lagos State and the immediate past Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, among other notable government officials and top politicians.